Decoder, encoder, and method for informed loudness estimation in object-based audio coding systems

An encoder, comprising:

• an object-based encoding unit for encoding a plurality of audio object signals to acquire an encoded audio signal comprising the plurality of audio object signals, and
• an object loudness encoding unit for encoding loudness information on the audio object signals,
• wherein the loudness information comprises one or more loudness values, wherein each of the one or more loudness values depends on one or more of the audio object signals;
• wherein each of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal is assigned to exactly one group of two or more groups, wherein each of the two or more groups comprises one or more of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal,
• wherein the object loudness encoding unit is configured to determine the one or more loudness values of the loudness information by determining a loudness value for each group of the two or more groups, wherein the loudness value for each group of the two or more groups indicates a total loudness of the one or more audio object signals of said group.

A method for encoding, comprising:

• encoding an audio input signal comprising a plurality of audio object signals, and
• encoding loudness information on the audio object signals, wherein the loudness information comprises one or more loudness values, wherein each of the one or more loudness values depends on one or more of the audio object signals;
• wherein each of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal is assigned to exactly one group of two or more groups, wherein each of the two or more groups comprises one or more of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal,
• wherein the object loudness encoding unit is configured to determine the one or more loudness values of the loudness information by determining a loudness value for each group of the two or more groups, wherein said loudness value of said group indicates a total loudness of the one or more audio object signals of said group.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for generating an audio output signal comprising one or more audio output channels depending on an audio input signal comprising a plurality of audio object signals and depending on loudness information on the audio object signals,

• wherein said method comprises:
• receiving rendering information indicating whether one or more of the audio object signals shall be amplified or attenuated,
• determining a loudness compensation value depending on the loudness information and depending on the rendering information, and
• generating the one or more audio output channels of the audio output signal from the audio input signal depending on the rendering information and depending on the loudness compensation value,
• when said computer program is run by a computer.

A non-transitory digital storage medium having a computer program stored thereon to perform the method for encoding, said method comprising:

• encoding an audio input signal comprising a plurality of audio object signals, and
• encoding loudness information on the audio object signals, wherein the loudness information comprises one or more loudness values, wherein each of the one or more loudness values depends on one or more of the audio object signals,
• wherein each of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal is assigned to exactly one group of two or more groups, wherein each of the two or more groups comprises one or more of the audio object signals of the encoded audio signal,
• wherein determining the one or more loudness values of the loudness information is conducted by determining a loudness value for each group of the two or more groups, wherein said loudness value of said group indicates a total loudness of the one or more audio object signals of said group
• when said computer program is run by a computer.